What does subsist mean?
To subsist is to exist, continue to live, or maintain oneself. The word is especially common in the construction “subsist on,” meaning to rely on a particular source of sustenance or income: a family may subsist on wages, a population on local food supplies, or an institution on public funding. It can also mean simply to continue to exist, although “persist” or “remain” may sound more natural in many modern contexts. “Subsist” often carries a slight implication of scarcity or difficulty, suggesting that continued existence depends on limited resources. In formal writing, it can describe the basic maintenance of a person, group, organism, or institution. The related noun “subsistence” is also common and refers especially to food, shelter, or the means of sustaining life.
verbTo exist, live, or continue to be. It can also mean to support oneself by relying on a particular source of income or sustenance.
- To exist, live, or continue to exist.
- To support oneself by relying on a specified source of food, income, or other resources.
"Few creatures can subsist on such a sparse diet."
"The community subsisted largely on fish and coastal plants."
"Without reliable rainfall, the plants would not survive the dry season."
To subsist is literally to “stand under” existence: the word preserves the image of sustaining yourself on whatever resources are available.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does subsist come from?
The verb comes from Latin subsistere, formed from sub- “under” and sistere “to stand.” Its earliest sense was to stand or remain in place, from which it developed the meanings of remaining alive and being sustained. English acquired the word in the early 16th century. The related noun “subsistence” and adjective “subsistent” developed from the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How subsist is actually used
In its second sense, “subsist on” is standard in both formal and general contexts and often implies that the resources used are limited, inadequate, or difficult to obtain.
Easily confused with subsist
To subsist is to live or continue to exist, whereas to subsidize is to provide financial support to someone or something.